Two Luzon regions, including Metro Manila face massive hospital waste crisis

Massive Hospital Waste Crisis in 2 Luzon Regions, Including Metro Manila
A looming garbage crisis is threatening Central and Northern Luzon, impacting around 1,000 hospitals in these regions, including Metro Manila. The potential closure of the only engineered sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac, has raised concerns among hospitals and toxic waste handlers.

The closure of the Kalangitan landfill in October could leave hospitals and clinics in a difficult situation with uncollected medical waste piling up. The shutdown of the landfill would halt the collection and processing of hazardous medical waste, leading to significant health risks for patients, healthcare workers, and communities.

The Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill is the sole facility authorized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to manage medical waste. Without a viable alternative, the closure of the landfill operated by Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC) is expected to impact public health drastically.

SafeWaste Inc., another waste treatment facility, processes a substantial amount of medical waste and fears the environmental and health repercussions of the landfill closure. The MCWMC plays a crucial role in managing tons of waste annually, serving numerous local government units and industrial clients in the region.

Legal actions are being considered against the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) if the waste facility ceases operations without a suitable replacement.
Concerns have been raised by local government units in Pampanga and Tarlac regarding the environmental crisis that could unfold if the only compliant waste facility shuts down in October.